Jeypore: As many as nine persons were killed and several others sustained critical injuries after a pick-up van they were travelling in overturned on National Highway-326 near Murtahandi under Kotpad police limits in Koraput district on Sunday night.
According to sources, the mishap took place when they were returning to their village in Chhattisgarh after attending dasaha (10th-day mourning) rituals. The identities of the passengers are yet to be ascertained.
The death toll is expected to rise further.
The exact reason behind the mishap is unknown. Till the last report came in, rescue operation is affected due to darkness.
(This is a developing story.)